Locomotive combustion regulator



June 12, 1923. 1,458,540

E. T. D. MYERS. JR

LOCOMOTIVE COMBUSTION REGULATOR Filed Dec. 1. 1921 gnva'ntoz ZZZ Wye 6:

Patented June 12, 1923.

STATE EDMUND D. MYERS, JR., OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

LOCOMOTIVE COMBUSTION I REGULATOR.

Application filed December 1, 1921. Serial No. 519,117.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND T. D. Mxnns, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico, State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locomotive Combustion Regulators, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in combustion regulators for use on steam locomotives so as to effect material economy in the use of fuel and water and the reduction of waste of steam through the pop valve and its resulting noise; as well as the abatement of smoke and gas issuing from the stack in localities where, for the time being, extreme steam pressure is not absolutely needed and an excess of smoke and gas from the stack is peculiarly objectionable-such as in tunnels, train sheds and towns,

Locomotives are equipped with a spacious compartment forward of and secured to the boiler called the smoke box, into which the lines. from the firebox discharge the smoke and gas, and also through a centrally located part of which the exhaust steam from the driving cylinders passesby means of passages converging to a single discharge opening called the exhaust nozzle. This exhaust nozzle is placed somewhat below the bottom of the stack and on the same vertical axis with it. In addition to the natural draft passing in sequence through the grates, the fire, the firebox, the fiues, the smokebox and finally the stack, a forced draft is obtained when the driving cylinders are using steam, by the rapid discharge of the jet of the expanding exhaust steam vertically from this exhaust nozzle through a small portion of the smoke box and thence through the stack. This discharge causes a partial vacuum in the smoke box Which is filled with air rushing through the grates, the firebox and fines, thus promoting and intensifying the rate of combustion of the fuel. While a primary object in locomotive design is to cause the combustion to be as rapid as pos-' sible when the driving cylinders are worlc ing at or near their maximum capacity, the

draft is at times excessive and. causes the rate of generation of steam in the boiler to exceed that of its consumption by the cylinthe pressure even lower, thus conserving ders, and the steam pressure in the boiler then reaches the limit of safety and the usual pop valve opens and wastes the excess steam to the atmosphere. It is the object of a careful fireman to keep the boiler pressure nearly up to the safety-valve limit and yet not high enough to cause wasteful discharge, and also incase of lighttrain loads, descent of grades or standing still, to keep fuel. The firemen are strictly required to use every effort to prevent unnecessary waste at the pop-valve and it is well known that this is diificult of accomplishment.

In an application filed by me July 22, 1921, Serial, Number 486,912, I have disclosed a combustion regulator for a modern type of steam locomotive comprising a small auxiliary pop-valve therefor, set to go ofi at a steam pressure slightly below the discharge pressure vof the main p0p-valve This auxiliary pop-valve is connected by suitable piping to the smoke box, so that when the auxiliary pop-valve operates, the vacuum in the smoke box will be reduced and the draft through the firebox correspondingly moderated. In addition, the pipe connection between the auxiliary pop-valve and the smoke box is provided with an ordinary globe valve for suitably and finally regulating by actual trial the amount of steam passing therethrough, said valve to be then permanently fixed by any convenient means so as to prevent the operatives changingits extent of opening. And there is further provided a manually controlled by-pass from the source of boiler pressure to the pipe discharging into the smoke box so steam may be passed around the auxiliary pop-valve and discharged directly from the 9 boiler to the smoke box to abate the draft at any time desired.

One of the principal features of the present invention is to provide an improved means for abating the draft through the fire box by providing means operatingat a pressureless than the discharge pressure of the main pop-valve for discharging the steam from the source of boiler pressure into the smoke-box in opposition to the incoming draft from the firebox whereby to abate the draft not only by the reduction of the vacuum in the smoke-box due to the expansion of the steam as in my prior application, but also by the velocity 'of the steam thus arranged to discharge directly into the face of the incoming draft.

Another feature of'this inventionresides in providing the most effective projecting of the steam into the smoke-box in opposition to the incoming draft from the fire-box by locating the discharge nozzle so as to spread the steam jet substantially across as well as along the bottom of the smoke-box and directly to the rear thereof into the face of the incoming draft from the firebox,

Yet another feature of this'invention resides in the novel construction of the steam discharge nozzle and its arrangement within the smoke-box for accomplishing the func tion above set forth.

A further object of this invention resides in providing a warning signal adapted to be operatedby the steam discharging from the auxiliary pop-valve so that the engineer or fireman will instantly know when to reduce his rate of firing.

Still another object of this invention resides in providing means for permanently fastening the globe valve in the steam discharge connection between the auxiliary pop-valve and ,the smoke-box at the desired extent of opening so that when such valve is once set for any particular locomotive it may be finally fastened in such adjusted position, so as to prevent its'being changed by the operatives.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the drawings, which show by way of illustration one embodiment of the invention:

Figur l is a side elevation of a modern locomotive n dotted outline, wlth the 1nthe invention shows in general the same.

generic construction set forth in my beforementioned pending application and includes a small pipe 1, preferably one'inoh inside diameter, connected to the steam dome 2 (or to the steam distributor if preferred) and provided with a small auxiliary angle pop valve 3. This valve is set to pop off at'a pressure slightly less than that of the usual or main popvalve (not shown in the drawings) and, therefore, acts in advance of it.

The discharge of steam from the auxiliary pop-valve 3 is conducted by any convenient route through a small pipe 4 to a globe valve 5, which globe valve is placed at any convenient point between the pop-valve 3 and the front end of the smoke-box. From the globe valve 5 the pipe 4 extends to an angle 6, thence to a T 7 and thence, by any convenient route avoiding existing appliances, to a point 8 .on the smoke-box where it passes tightly through the shell or wall 8 of the smoke-box. The present invention differs in specific details by the particular location of this steam discharge into the smoke-box and the construction of the discharge nozzle for accomplishing the improved functional features hereinbefore enumerated. If preferred, the pipe 4 may pass through the shell of the smoke-box at the bottom and near the front, and then connect with the nozzle 12, discharging horizontally and to the rear, instead of passing through the front wall of the smoke-box.

In the preferred embodiment of my improved construction the end of the pipe 4 at the point 8 where it projects into the smoke-box is placed preferably near the front, close to'the bottom, directly under the axis of the smoke-box,,and directed horizontally .to the rear thereof. The discharge end of this pipe 4: is flattened, so as to form into the smoke-box meets and opposes the draught from the fire and is spread by means of the oblong section of the orifice of the nozzle, over the bottom of the smokebox. This is the most effective location and the most desirable shape and direction for the jet of steam. It is evident however, that other nozzle designs and other locations for the steam discharge are contemplated for accomplishing this function. I

For the purpose of reducing the pressure .of steam below that at which the auxiliary popva lve 3 is set, or for temporarily reducingthe draft when the fire is being jerked, .or when the locomotive is passing through tunnels, standing still, or is lightly loaded, or for any other reason a material reduction the draft is needed, there is provided in addition to the automatic discharge of steam from the auxiliary pop-valve into the smoke-box, a pipe 9 preferably one inch inside diameter, fitted with a globe valve l0 placed within the cab in convenient reach of the fireman. extends from the T 11 near the dome 2 to connect the source of boiler pressure directly with the pipe at. i i i For the purpose of discharging condensed steam collecting in the pipe 4, a very minute hole is formed in this pi 3e at the lowest point in its course. This hole may be connected with a drainpipe or other draining device if desired.

Actual trial has shown that there is no standard setting for all locomotives for the globe valve 5 which governs the amount i This pipe of steam passing through the pipe 4. Each individual locomotive requires a different becomes aware that the auxiliarypop-valveis discharging. l/Vith the constructionset forth in my prior application it was necessary, on all but certain kinds of mechanically fired locomotives, for the fireman to open the fire-door in order to judge from the appearance of the fire whether the popvalve was operating. This was not only'inconvenient but highly undesirable, since the cold draft of air passing in through the fire door tends to cause leaks at the ends of the boiler flues as is well known to those skilled in the art. For the purpose of avoiding this objectionable practice, T'have provided an audible or visible automatic signal for 111% apprising the fireman when the auxiliary pop-valve is operating, or when steam is being discharged through pipe, 4-, or pipe, 9, into the smoke-box. The preferred form of this means comprises a minute pipe 13, much smaller than the pipe 4, connected to pipe i, following any route and terminating outside of and preferably near the front or rear of the cab to a point in sight or hearingof the fireman. The end of this pipe 13 is provided with a very minute Whistle 15 which is blown by the escaping steam from pipe 18. This whistle provides a distinctive noise readily audible to the fireman from within the cab. Obviously in 5 lieu of the whistle, a visible signal of escaping vapor may be used. In this event a minute orifice may be made at a desired point in plain view of the fireman. It will be observed that both the visible and audible signal will be operated either by steam disvalve 5, and continues through the T 7 andv pipe 4 to point 8 on the smoke-box shell, thence through this shell where it expands Any desired means for within the smoke-hem and its pressure,

owing to this free expansion becomes very greatly reduced but yet remains sufficient to'counteract and lessen but not destroy, the vacuum. bo also the velocity of this'jet discharging from the flattened nozzle 12,

sweeps the steam along and spreads it "across the bottom of the smoke-box as indicated by i the arrow 15 inFigure l to oppose the draft from the fire-box indicated by the arrow 16, Figure 1, thereby assistingin aba't ing the draft through the fire-box. this moderation ofthe draft the rate of combustion is reduced,'the boiler pressure falls, the small auxiliary pop-valve 3 closes,

further waste, of steam is prevented, and the draft on the fire is automatically and immediately restored to its former intensity.

The Whole operation tends to anticipate and prevent the waste of steam through the large pop-valve, with its accompanying noise, and the excessive use of fuel. The pipes 1, 1 and 9 and their fittings are purposely small so that at no time, through' I the oversight ofthe fireman or other unforeseen cause, can a suflicient amount of steam 1 pass through them to cause an objection-- able bacledraft through the fire door and grates.

It is obvious that this invention con'templates other means for discharging steam from the source of pressure into the smokebox in advance of the discharge of the main pop-valve into the atmosphere; The claims are therefore, not to be regarded as limited 5 4 by the one embodiment disclosed, but also auxiliary pop-valve.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is-

1. In a locomotive combustion regulator,

the combination with a source of boiler pressure, the usual pop-valve, means operating at a pressure less than the discharge pressure of the main pop-valve for discharging steam from said source of boiler pressure into the smoke-box 1n OPPOSltlOIitO the incoming draft from the firebox whereby to abate the 1 draft by the velocity of the steam discharge I I as well as by the reduction of the vacuum in the smoke-box due to the expansion of the steam. I

2. In a locomotive combustion regulator,

the combination with a source of boiler U steamdischarge as well as by the reduction of the vacuum in the smoke-box due to the main pop-valve, and a nozzle connected to said auxiliary pop-valve and disposed at the front of the lower portion of the smoke-box in position to jet the steam therefrom rearwardly in the direction of the firebox in opposition to the incoming draft therefrom, whereby to abate the draft fromthe fire by the velocity of steam discharge in addition to reducing the smoke-box vacuum by the expansion of the steam from the nozzle.

4;. In a locomotive combustion regulator, the combination with a source of boiler pressure, the main pop Valve, an auxiliary popvalve connected to said source of pressure and adapted to discharge at a pressure slightly below the discharge pressure of the main pop-valve, and a substantially flat, Wide=monthed nozzle connected to said auxiliary pop-valve and arranged within the smoke-box at the lower front portion thereof whereby to discharge steam directly over the bottom of the sin0ke-l00x toward the firebox into the faceof the incoming draft therefromlto abate the draft by means of the velocity .of discharge of the steam as well as by the expansion of the steam.

5. In a locomotive combustion regulator, the combination with a source of boiler pressure, the main pop valve, an auxiliary popvalve connected to said source of pressure and adapted to discharge at a pressure slightly below the discharge pressure of the main pop-valve, means connecting the discharge of said auxiliary valve with the smoke-box .to moderate the draft throughthe firebox, and a signalconnected to said lastnamed means operable by the steam discharge from said auxiliary valve.

-6. In a locomotive combustion regulator, the combination with a source of boiler pressure, the main pop valve, an auxiliary ;pop valve connected to said source of pressure and adapted to discharge at a pressure slightly below the discharge pressure of the main pop-valve, means connecting the discharge of said auxiliary vavle with the smoke-box to moderate the draft through charging steam directly from said source ofboiler pressure into said smoke-box, a signal located near the cab and connected to' the means for discharging steam into said smoke-box, said connection being disposed so that said signal is operated either by the steam discharge from said pop-valve or said by-pass.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

EDMUND T. D. MYERS, JR. 

